Rail-anchor tie-plate.



A. L. STMIFORD.- RAIL ANCHOR TIE PLATE.

APPLICATION FILED AuG.25. 1916.

I 1,122 6,136a Patnted May 15, 1 917.

UNITED STATES PATENT oruuon.

ARTHUR L. STANFORD, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

RAIL-ANCHOR TIE-PLATE.

T 0 all whom it may Horace/n:

Be it known that I, ARTHUR L. STANFORD, a citizen of the United States. residing at Chicago, county of Cook. and State of Illi- 'nois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Rail-.- nchor Tie-Plates. of which the following is a specification.

The present invention has to do with a combined rail anchor and tie plate for use in connection with railroad road beds. It is well understood that, owing to the travel of locomotives and rolling stock along the rails, .as well as on account of temperature changesthere is a very strong tendency for the rails to creep or travel generally in the direction of the traflic.

The present invention has to do with a construction of tie plate which also serves as a gripping device for securely gripping and holding the rail. thus simultaneously performing the function of a tie plate and rail anchor. The arrangement which will be disclosed herein is very simple in its constructionand application to the .rail, and can be manufactured at a verv low cost, as compared to practically all forms of rail anchor. Furthermore. said construction can be manufactured at a cost which will be only slightly more than the cost of the tie plate itself. Therefore. by the use of the invention to be herein disclosed the benefits of-both a tie plate and a rail anchor construction may be secured at a cost very closely approximating the costof the tie plate itself.

Inasmuch as the use of tie plates is becom-.

ing more and more universal, not only on curves, but also on straight runs of track. it follows that by the use of the combined tie plate and rail anchor to be herein disclosed, the rails may be locked or anchored at great frequency along the length of the railroad without substantially changing in any way the present tendency toward the universalemployment of tie plates. In order for a device of this kind to come into favor and find wide application in the art,

it'must be so designed that it can be manuf actured cheaply and vwithout materially departing from the present practice in the manufacture of devices of this kind. It is a very general practice to manufacture tie plates by a rolling operation. Therefore, in order for a combined rail anchor and tie plate to find extensive application,; it should beso designed that it may be readily manu- Specificafivn of Letters Patent Patcn ted Mav 15, 1917. Application filed August 25, 1916.

Serial No. 116.896.

factured by a rolling (.gclfltlOll; and in this connection it should h so designed that the rolling operation may he pectin-riled use of rolls of little. if arrv. more complexity and cost than the rolls which are ordinarily used in the manufacture of tie plates.

Certain objects of the present invention are to provide a construction which will substantially conform to all of the requirements above discussed. while at the same time performing its functions as a rail anchor with a very high degree of etticienc and permanency.

Other objects and uses'c." the invention will appear from a detailed description of the same which consists in the features of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

. Referring to the drawing:

Figure 1 shows a vertical'cross section through my imprm'ed rail anchor tie plate. and through the base of the rail to which it is applied. showing also in fragmentary section a portion of the tie on which the rail anchor tie plate is mounted. Fig. l. is 1: section taken on the line l-l of Fig. 52, looking in the direction of the arrows; i

Fig. 2 is a plan view corresponding to Fig. 1. a portion of the spring block being broken away so as to show the construction of the same in section;

Fig. 3 is an end view of the device. the setscrew and spring block being removed:

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the spring block, showing the same with its initial cm'vature; and

is a plan view of another form of spring block.

In carrying into effect the rail anchoring feature of the present invention. I make use of what I will term a spring block, one of the functions of which is to bear against the base portion of the rail so as to compress the said base portion against another suitable portion of the tie plate to thereby frictionally grip the base portion of the rail and thus resist any tendency for the rail to move across the face of the tie plate. This spring block is compressed againstthe base portion of the rail by means of a set-screw. or other suith v the able instrumentality, which may be under the control. of th track foreman, or other operator, so that the amount of compression may be controlled or adjusted in the first instance, and so that the amount of said compressionnmy be predetermined with a fair degree of accuracy. This will make it possible to estimate very closely the rail anchoring ability of each rail anchor tie plate. and will also make it possible to readily change the anchoring grip from time to time.

Referring now to the several figures, I shall first describe the construction shown in Figs. 1 to i inclusive, and shall then consider the construct-ion shown in Fig. 5. The tie plate in its entirety is designated by the nume :11 5. Inasmuch as the rail anchoring ability of the device will necessarily be limited by the friction of the tie plate on the tie plus the shearing strength of the s1 'kes. it is desirable to give the tie plate as large a frictional engagement with the tie as phssible. Consequently I have shown the said tie plate as being provided with a series of longitudinally extending ribs (3 in its lower portion, which ribs willembed themselves to a greater or less degree in the upper portion of the tie 7. as the features of the present invention are concerned, the tie plate may or may not be provided with ribs or corrugations, or other tie engaging devices on its lower portion. have also illustrated the tie plate as having a plurality of longitudinally extending ribs 8 on its upper portion. which ribs carry or support the base portion 9 of the rail 10. These ribs may or may not be used in association with. the other features of my invention, but I will presently explain wherein, in some cases, they bear a peculiar relationship toother features of the invention.

lVhile I have shown the features of my invention as applied to the particular form of tie plate mentioned, still it will be understood that the application of the said fea' tures of the invention is not limited to this or any other particular form of tie plate. On one side of the tie plate, I make provision for compressing a spring block against the base. portion of the rail. In the particular construction illustrated, this compressing means takes the form of a set-screw or the like, andin said construction I have provided an upstanding lug 11 through whichthe set-screw is threaded.

The said lug is shown as being formed at one side of the tie plate, and as being perforated and threaded for the reception or ac commodation of the set-screw 12. On the other side of the tie plate, I provide a suitable abutment for the other side of the baseof the rail, and in theparticular construction illustrated, this abutment takes the form of Itwill e understood that, as far I straight face.

an upstanding shoulder 13 whicltextends clear acrossthe tie plate and serves to abut the entire length of the base of the rail which rests on the tie plate. The abutment13 and the lug 11 are so spaced as to accommodate the full Width of the base of the rail, and leave, adjacent to the lug 11, a'substantial clearance for the accommodation of the spring block 14; This spring block is initially formed with a slight degree of curvature on its face which abuts against the face of the rail, so that upon applying a heavy pressure to the spring block, the said lJlOCli may yield as it is compressed against the rail, thus ef fecting the said compression under resiliency. By effecting the compression under resiliency, there will be assurance that the base of the rail will. at all. times be under pressure, notwithstanding expansion and ccmtraction which may take place with variations of temperature both in the rail base and in the tie plate, and there will also be assurance that the rail base will be under compression at all times notwithstanding the jarring and vibrations which accompany the travel of rolling stock along the rail. Inasmuch as the spring block bears in a resilient manner against theset-screw, it follows that the said set-screw will always be under a resilient pressure, so that the spring tend to lock the set-screw at all times, and thus prevent unthreading, dueto jarring of the rail and tie plate.

In the particular construction illustrated in Figs. 1 to l inclusive, the spring block is shown as being initially provided with a slight degree of concavity in its face which engages the rail base. This fact is well illustrated in Fig. 1, wherein it will be observed that there is a clearance 15 between the engaging face of the spring block and the line 16 which represents a The spring block is also shown as being provided with a boss or the like 17 adapted to receive the end of the set-screw 12, so that the pressure of the set-serew is directly applied to the spring block at that point where it will be most advantageous in compressing the block against the rail base. Reference to Figs. 1 and '2 \vill show the manner of application of the spring'block to the rail base, and the manner in which the spring block may be. straightened out upon the application of a sufiicient pressure by the set-screw. The amount of pressure thus exerted is not block will limited by the amount of compression necesthat the rail base will be under compression notwithstanding variations of temperature and vib'ations, because if there were to occur a separation between the abutment 13 and the end of the set-screw sufficient to remove the aforementioned direct pressure, st1ll the spring would, by reason of lts resiliency, follow such separation an maintain the rail base under compression. It will also be observed that the resiliency of the spring block will also serve the additional function of taking up any wear which may occur from time to time, so that the parts will always be under spring pressure.

The amount of tlexure in the spring block will be determined by the initial clearance to be taken up by compression. Frequently the clearance 15 will approximate oneeighth. to three-sixteenths of an inch in actual practice. This, however, is a matter of degree and will depend upon the particular size of the spring block, the material of which it is made, its modulus .of elasticity, etc.

The spring block is conveniently formed -with a longitudinally extending recess or channel ls for the accommodation of the edge of the base of the rail. This construe tion. will. insure that the rail base will be properly socketed and registered with respect to the spring block at all times. The amount ofthis recess is shown in Fig. l by means of the dotted lilies. Inasmuch as the spring block is channeled, it follows that a suitable space or clearance should be provided beneath the edge of the rail base for the tICC ODIIIIOdtItlOH of the lip 1 of the spring block. Such clearance may be provided in any suitable l11t1l1IlQ1.-l.)llt in the particular construction illustrated, the ribs 8 serve, among others, the function of supporting the rail base at a sufiicient elevation to provide a necessary clearance for the accommodation of the lip portion 19 of the spring block.

Manifestly the abutment 13 may take any suitable form, its function being to resist sidewise movement of the rail base, and

i simply, as a matter of convenience. I have shown the said abutment as being fixed with respect to the tie plate and as being directly engaged by the rail base.

It will be observed from examination of Fig. 3 in particular, that the lug 11 is provided with a gradual slope on each of its end faces. By reason of this fact, it is possible to roll the said lug in the tie plate,

so that the device may be manufactured by a steel rolling operation, and at very low cost.

In the arrangement thus far described, the spring block is-provided with a corn cave face for contact against the rail base,

and the resiliency is secured by pressing in-.

wardly on the central portion of the block, so as to straighten out this face. In the arrangement shown in Fig. 5 on the contrary, the face which bears against the rail base is convex in form, and means are provided for straightening out the spring block by pressure on its end portions In the construction shown in Fig. 5, the convex face 2O bears against therail base, and suitably channeled, if desired, to accommodate the edge of the rail base. In the construction shown in this figure, there are pro vided two bosses 21 and for the accom modation of two set-screws, one at each end of the spring block. Itwill be quite evident that upon applying pressure to the end por-' tions of the block shown in Fig. 5. aresilient pressure will be exerted on the edge of the rail base, thusgiving an anchoring actionvery similar to that which has been previously described. v

I 'tlesire to point out the fact that the holding power of my device as a rail'anchor is added to and acts in unison with the frictional resistance, due to the contact. under pressure, of the rail base on the tie'plat'e.

ll'hile I have herein shown and dcscrilurd only certain forms of construction embodying the features of my invention. still it will be understood that I do not limit myselfto the said constructions except as I may do so in the claims.

I claim:

1. A device of the class described comprising. in combination, a tie plate having on one side an abutment for engagii'ig one side of the base ofa rail. and having on its other side an abutment forthe accon1modation of a set-screw. the said abutments being separated a sutlicient distance for the accommodation of the base of the rail and for the i provision of a space between the last men'- tioned abutment and the adjacent edge of the base of the rail. a spring block located in said space, said spring block having a curved face adjacent to the edge of the rail base. and a set-screw threaded into the adjacent abutment and engaging the spring block for the purpose of compressing the' same against the base of the rail.

2. A device of the class described comprising. in combination. a tie" plate having on its upper portion a pair of abutments. one of'said abutments preventing movement of the rail base away from the other abut ment. and the abutments being separated a suiiicient distance to provide a space between the other abutment and the base of the rail, a spring block located in said space,

one of said abutments serving to prevent movement of the rail base away from the other abutment. the alnitmentsbeing separated a suflicient distance to provide a pace between the rail base and the last nientioi i abutment, a spring block space,

located in said said spring block having a curved face adapted to engage the ad acent edge of vthe rail base, andmeans under the control of 'the operator for exerting a force between the last mentioned abutment and the spring block for; the purpose of compressing the movement of the rail prising,

abutment, a spring block :space, said spring block :20,

the rail base, and means ving the latter ing,

prising,

against the edge of the rail base.

between the spring block pressing the spring of the rail base.

5 5. A device of prising, in combination, a tie plate having on its upper portion a pair of abutments, one of said abutments serving to prevent .movement of the rail base away from the' other abutment,

the abutments being sepa- 'rateda sufficient distance to provide a space between the rail base and the last mentioned abutment, a spring member located in said space and bearing against the adjacent edge of the rail base, and means under the control of the operator forexerting a force between the last mentioned abutment and the spring member for the purpose of compressagainst the edge of the rail base. "16. A

in combination,

upstanding from device of the class described comprisa tie plate, an abutment the tie plate and,

"bearing against one edge of the rail base,

a spring member bearing against the oppo- Qsite edge of the rail base, and means conriected' with the tie plate and under the control; of the operator for exerting a force against the spring member for the of compressing the same against t of the'rail base. v

" 7. A device of-the class described comin combination, a tie plate having an' abutment upstanding therefrom and bearing against one base, a spring member positioned to exert pressure against the other edge of the rail base,-andfscrew means connected with the e edge tie plateand under thecontrol of the.oper-.

at this patent may the class described com-- movement of the purpose of the edges of the rail be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Washington, D. 0..

ator for applying pressure to the spring member.

*8. A device of the class described comprising, in combination, a tie plate having on its upper surface a pair of abutments, one of saidabutments serving to limit the I movement of the tail base away from the other abutment, the abutments being separated a suiiicientdistance to provide a space between the last' mentioned abutment and the adjacentedge of the rail base, the surface of the tie plate being depressed at a point inside of said last mentioned abutment to cause the edge of the rail base to overhang the "surfaceof the tie plate, a bowed spring block located intermediate the last mentioned abutment and the edge of the rail base and provided with a channel engaging said rail edge, and means for exerting a pressure between the spring block and the abutment for holding the spring block intp close engagement with the edge of the ra1 v 9. -'A device of the 'class described comprising, in combination, a tie plate having on its upper surface a pair of abutments, one of said abutments serving to limit the movement of the rail base away from the other abutment, the abutments being separated a sufficient distance to provide a space between the last mentioned abutment and the adjacent edge of the rail base, a bowed spring block located intermediate the last mentioned abutment and the edge of the rail 'base and provided with a channel engaging said rail edge, and means for exerting a pressure between the spring block and the abutment for holding the spring block intp close engagement with the edge of the rai 10. A device of the class described comprising, in combination, a tie plate having on its upper surface a pair of abutments, one of said abutments serving to prevent rail base away from the other abutment, the abutments being separated a sufficient distanceto provide a space betweenthe rail base and, the last mentioned abutment, a bowed springblock located in said base and having its-convex face in engagement with the adjacent edge of th rail base, and screw means carried by the last mentioned abutment for exerting a pressure against the concave face of the block for affording spring compression between 115 the block and the edge of the rail base. I

ARTHUR L. STANFORD.

Witnesses:

EPHRAIM BANNING, FRANCES M. Fnos'r.

commissioner of Patents, 

